Analysis of The Conjuringhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k10ETZ41q5o

Abbi Allen

USPThis film has two USP’s. One being that the film is based on a true story “Based on true case studies of the Warrens”. And the other being that the film ends happily.Not many films are based on a true story and the audience find this out at the beginning of the trailer which would shock them because how could something so scary have actually happened. I think this would intrigue audiences and therefore they would want to watch the film (I know I did).

The other USP that the film has a happy ending is a really clever way of selling the film to audiences because I can’t name a horror film where this has ever happened. Audiences would be nicely surprised by a happy ending to a horror film because it’s different to other films, similarly to The Eye it is not a regurgitation of all other horror films.

SoundStarts with dialogue into a handheld camera from Mr Warren saying “It’s 9:18 we’re headed down into the cellar where the doors just opened on its own. Give us a sign that you wanna communicate with us. Nothin’.” Then the piano in the cellar plays and no one is there, there is an obvious childs giggle. We can tell from even this what time of film it is going to be. Now there is a presentation and it explains what the Warrens are. The song Hurdy Gurdy man by Donovan starts to play, seemingly calm. Woman says “there’s something horrible happening in my house” as this is happening a clock ticking can be heard, this can sometimes be seen as a heartbeat and makes the audience feel on edge.Loud smashing sounds and screaming starts. Recording starts again with Mr Warren “Its November 1st 1971, I’m sitting here with Carolyn Perrin who with her family has been experiencing supernatural occurrences”. Mrs warren starts to pick up things, screenching noises. Mrs Warren talks about the spirit. A spirit whispers “look what she made me do” then more screams. Carolyn says “we have to get out of here” but is informed by Mrs Warren that the spirit has latched to the family. Mr and Mrs Warren discuss that they have never seen anything like this. Smashing of wood starts. Little girl belonging to the family says she sees “A lady in a dirty nightgown”. Banging sounds start and then a music box plays and a little girl talks about seeing a boy behind you in the mirror when the music stops. Then a scream followed up with silence. The sound in this film adds to the genre of the film and the fact that there is no voiceover adds to the realness of the film and that its based on true events.

EditingThe editing within the trailer creates an atmosphere for the audience. The trailer begins as it means to go on. The beginning is dark and dingy down in the cellar and dull greyish lighting is used throughout the trailer. The dark lighting helps to give off a certain feel to the audience without forcing it. The transitions between shots are quick and clean cut. The introduction of snapshots from the Warrens work coming up on the screen also helps create an atmosphere for the audience. The pace of the editing starts slowish but speeds up very early on and the faster the music and sounds get the faster the editing and transitions get. Special effects such as; props falling off walls and mantelpieces, children getting pulled off the bed etc. are used throughout the trailer.

Credits and Intertitles

This intertitle shows that Warner Bros. was involved with the film.

The next one shows another company that’s involved with the film.

Informs the audience that the film is based on a true story.

Credits and Intertitles

Another piece of information about the true elements of the film.

Adding more frightening information into the audiences minds.

Again more text to add to the true elements. Revealing this hidden case.

Credits and IntertitlesOther scary films that have been created by the same people as The Conjuring has. This could potentially entice more people into watching the film if they have seen these ones too.

Text coinciding with the frightening images that have just been seen.

Other horror films feature these things; a haunting, a possession. But this isn’t what it is.

Credits and Intertitles

It’s a true story so this is the truth.

Frightening words to the audience.

The title of film is at the end of the trailer so that the audience will remember the name and go to see the film. Like many other trailers.

Credits and Intertitles

The date that the film comes out is also at the end of the trailer so that the audience will remember it. And other companies are given credit for their involvement in the film.

Institutional referenceThe trailer references Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema.

Shot types/camera angles and movement

Many wide/establishing shots are used throughout this trailer. Typical shots from horror films like this:

This shot of the house from the lake surrounded by mist is an typical shot for a horror film.1. It establishes the setting, a large

old house, near the water.2. Mist is mysterious, it hides things

and things can hide in it.

Close ups of specific things. The clock has stopped at 3:06 a typical time for supernatural occurrences. It’s also an old clock that features in horror movies.

Mise-en-sceneLighting:The lighting is dull/dark which creates an atmosphere for the audience.Costume:The costumes for the characters are old fashioned and country style as the film is set in the countryside in America in 1971.Props:The camera and equipment that the Warrens use to film their cases, the piano, clock, all of the items in the house etc. (add to the verisimilitude of the film)Make up:The make up for most of the characters is natural but when Carolyn gets possessed she is made up to look believably scary and then the female spirit looks scary as well. The make up is used to make the characters look dead and frightening.Hair:Hair is generally normal looking for all of the characters but turns messy when they are to be dead and straggled when they are stressed. The female spirit has dirty straggly hair because she is a drowned dead girl.

GenreThe film is a horror film. It conforms to most of the codes and conventions of horror films such as; a secluded location: the house is in the countryside and in the forest. Pretty secluded and perfect for a horror film.Strange noises: many strange noises feature in this film and they are investigated by paranormal investigators The Warrens.The past: the past of this house is now haunting the new tenants of the house.

(Target) AudienceThe film certificate is a 15 which I think is appropriate for the film as it does contain some very frightening things. Even adults were scared of this film. The target audience I think are 15-21 year olds as these people are the people who go to the cinema often and speaking for myself as an 18 year old student use the orange Wednesday codes to watch a lot of films as do a lot of my friends.The trailer appeals to the target audience because it contains an element of mystery as to what this thing is. And the whole true story element is very intriguing to anyone who watches the trailer.

NarrativeTodorov’s theory of equilibrium applies to this film trailer. It can be seen that the family who’s lives are later turned upside down, are living a normal happy life and have just moved house. Then their equilibrium is disturbed by a haunting so strong it threatens to destroy their lives. Then with the help of The Warrens their lives are restored and so equilibrium is restored.

RepresentationCertain stereotypical representations are seen through this trailer for example the setting is a stereotypical setting for a horror film, its in an empty small town in America. Another stereotypical element is the family, they are mostly females and in horror films females are represented as the weaker sex (as with most films) and then one male in the family who wants to protect his family. Also some of the events that take place are relatively stereotypical as well like the clock going off at 3am (very common feature in horror films), doors opening by themselves etc. But the trailer/film doesn’t feel stereotypical. And defies the stereotypical ending of horror films.